Early Season on the Henry's Fork

Opening Day on the Henry’s Fork was May 28 and eager anglers from near and far came for the famed salmonfly hatch on the lower Henry’s Fork. They encountered cold weather and even some snow on Memorial Day, inhibiting an intense hatch of the big bugs. Nonetheless nymph fishing with stonefly nymphs has been good, and the dry fly fishing on the big bugs has been scattered and sporadic. Intermittent rain showers have frequently affected the fishing, but are welcome for the additional water that fish and crops will need in the coming summer. Our guests have come up with some surprisingly good catches thanks to their persistence and the resourcefulness of their guides.  
 
The upper river immediately above and below the Harriman State Park has also been dependent on the elements and time of day, so good at times, but a bit inconsistent and unpredictable. The early season hatches of March Browns, baetis and Mother’s Day Caddis have brought rising fish, but you had to be on the water at the right time to take full advantage of them. Both the Box Canyon and Coffee Pot areas have been good with nymphs with some dry fly activity. 
 
The good news in all this changeable weather is that the fish populations are in exceptional shape. On the upper Henry’s Fork, what I call the 5th year seniors of 20” or more and the senior class of 18” or so are fat, healthy and numerous, so poised to give us some great June fishing. On the lower river, the numbers of big browns seem to be very good this year in addition to the good numbers of sizable rainbows.  

We look forward to an excellent season once the weather settles into its more consistent summer pattern. Please get in touch with us to book your trip if you have not already. 

- Nelson